When And How Do I Clean My External Filter?

[laurac94]

Hi all, I hooked up my brand new all pond solutions 2000 external filter about 5 weeks ago. So now im just wondering when do I need to clean it out and how?
This is my first external and I've looked elsewhere but as alot of people have externals I thought this would be the best place.
Do I just switch it off (obviously) and clip off the top? Or will loads of water spill out?
Also there is activated carbon in there, when should I replace it?
The other sections have plastic bioballs and ceramic rings in.

 

[fluttermoth]

I have a few of these filters; here's how I do mine
 
I use three buckets, because it's heavy when it's full
 
Switch it off, close the taps and remove that part, and take the top off; I stand that in one of my buckets, because it can drip a bit, and quite a lot of water comes out if you tip it.
 
Then I take the baskets out and stack them in my second bucket. Then the water from the canister goes into the third bucket. I take each media basket in turn and swish the media in the old water, stacking them back in the canister as I do each one.
 
Then it's just a case of syphoning some tank water into the canister, until the water is coming up through the bottom of the top basket, top back on, hoses in, taps open and it should be good to go, though you may have to prime and/or tip it a few times to get any trapped air out.
 
How often depends on the stocking of your tank; in my tetra/hatchet tank, it gets done only every other month or so; the oscar's one gets done fortnightly.

 

[laurac94]

Ok thanks, I best get to Wilkinsons and buy some more buckets then, I only have one ;-) it's hooked up to my piranha tank, very very messy fish so it will need doing;-)